The start of Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix was delayed by over an hour after wet weather forced a red flag during the formation lap.
A band of rain hit the track shortly before the scheduled 3pm start time, and the FIA elected to run a formation lap behind the safety car to check on conditions.
The track itself did not seem too treacherous in terms of standing water, but a number of drivers complained about the lack of visibility because of spray being thrown up.
Pole position man Lando Norris said things were bad enough for him, so were likely much worse for cars stuck in traffic behind him.
With the forecast predicting at the time that a final weather cell would blow over the track within 30 minutes, conditions were expected to improve, thus the FIA elected for a red flag to help open up a better window to get things going.
Another attempt to kick things off followed at 4.20pm local time, and after several laps under the safety car the grand prix kicked off with a rolling start.
The three-hour time limit to get the event completed was not in effect at the original start time because the race start procedure was suspended and therefore the race itself has not formally begun.
The main Formula 3 race of the weekend had been cancelled earlier in the day due to rain, but Porsche Supercup and Formula 2 did get their races in.
As a consequence of the farcical 2021 Belgian Grand Prix that was abandoned without any racing laps being completed, different rules are in place in F1 now regarding when points will be handed out.
A minimum of two laps by the leader, without a safety car or virtual safety car intervention, will be required in order for any points to be awarded.
If the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 25% of the scheduled race distance, the top five finishers will be awarded points on a 6-4-3-2-1 scale.
That will change to nine finishers on a 13-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale if 25% but less than 50% has been completed by the race leader.
And if the leader has completed 50% but less than 75% of the scheduled race distance, points will be awarded to 10 drivers on a 19-14-12-9-8-6-5-3-2-1 scale.
